Why was summer as a kid the best? Popsicle-stained faces, spitting watermelon seeds onto the ground, running through the sprinkler, and swimming in the dirty Wisconsin lakes —
This was summer as a kid for me, and I LOVED IT.
I often find myself reminiscing on summers past and wondering — how did we get here? How did we go from slow, simple summers to this whirlwind of chaos?
Instead of savoring a peaceful moment outside, we’re rushing to grab the dripping red popsicle from our kids’ hands and yelling, “Grab your cleats! Let’s go, go, go! We’re going to be late!”
Just me?
My goal with this collection is to remind you of the good ol’ days and challenge you to be intentional about slowing down this summer.
Every now and then, I design a launch that grounds me — one that carries a message I need to hear myself. My Front Porch Looking In is exactly that. And I love sharing the heart behind these moments with you through writing. So here’s a little peek into the meaning woven into this release.
This collection is all about slowing down for summer. Not only because I know it’s something our culture struggles with, but because it’s something I struggle with in my own life.
Summer quickly fills up with family vacations, sports, camps, summer school, pool days, road trips, and camping. I always feel so stressed when the season starts out, because I have SO MUCH I want to do in such a short time — and it makes me feel overwhelmed.
I’m a nostalgic person at heart (which is probably why this business means so much to me). As this season approached, I found myself reflecting on my childhood — a good one, but a simple one, too.
How were those summers so unforgettable when they were mostly filled with water balloon fights, visits to Grandma’s, afternoons at the swimming hole, time with cousins, and the occasional float down the Jump River in our big black inner tubes?
In my search for a song that could capture the essence of this collection, I stumbled upon My Front Porch Looking In — and I knew right away it was perfect.
This song isn’t about someone looking out from their porch at what they’ve built, what they own, or what they’ve accomplished. It’s about looking in at the family and friends they have — the blessings within the walls of their home.
How much of our lives do we spend chasing dreams, money, success, and meaning — all while missing the beautiful, everyday moments right in front of us?
My challenge to you is this:
Slow down this summer.
Here are some ideas I think could help us slow down this season:
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Maybe skip the big vacation and go camping instead, or explore a local landmark you’ve never visited.
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Have you ever thought about planting a garden, but you’ve always said you “don’t have time”? Is there something you could let go of in your schedule to make room for it?
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What about preserving food for your family and friends to enjoy throughout the winter?
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Or maybe just buy a plant (even if it’s just a cactus) to care for and nurture?
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Take a walk in nature and actually notice what you usually walk past — the butterfly landing on a flower, the frog hopping by.
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Toss a softball or make s’mores on a weeknight.
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Read a book with your kids or on your own under the stars with an old quilt.
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Invite someone over for dinner, just because.
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Take a Sunday drive with no destination in mind.
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Pick a bouquet of wildflowers.
One thing I’ve found to be true in this thing called life: there are so many things I’ve told myself I don’t have time for. But what if the things we are making time for are actually causing our soul to wilt?
What if — instead of chasing temporary things — we paused and took in the view of My Front Porch Looking In?
Maybe it’s possible to relive those childhood summers. Maybe, if we’re intentional, we can create similar summertime memories for our kids.
So this summer, I encourage you: grab the popsicles, slip off your sandals, run through the sprinkler, and discover a summer that feels reminiscent of those good ol' days.
I hope this helps you understand the heart behind this collection.
And if you, like me, are craving a slow-down summer… may you be brave enough to take a few of these steps and really enjoy the days ahead. 🤍
This business is about so much more than just selling clothes. It’s about:
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Connecting with beautiful souls
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Growing and learning together
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Learning to love ourselves — the way we look and the stage of life we’re in
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Bringing trends from the past with a modern twist
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Occasionally pausing to remember a way of living that existed before the whirlwind of technology and fast-paced days
My Front Porch Looking In Collection launches Monday, May 5, at 7:00pm.
🛒 Shop new arrivals here!